SAN MATEO COUNTY
650.712.7765 | PHONE 650.726.0494 | FAX
625 Miramontes Street, Suite 103, Half Moon Bay, CA 9 4019 www.sanmateorcd.org
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors May 19, 2011 Time 6:30-8:30 Location: RCD Office
Directors present: TJ Glauthier, Roxy Stone, Jim Reynolds Staff present: RCD- Kellyx Nelson, Renee Moldovan, Karissa Anderson, Alyssa Hernandez (AmeriCorps intern) NRCS-Jim Howard Guests: Susie Bennett (GGNRA), Ron Sturgeon
1 Call to Order • Glauthier called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. 2 Introduction of Guests, Committee, and Staff.
3 Public Comment. • No public comments 4 Approval of Agenda • Reynolds moved to approve and Stone seconded. Agenda approved unanimously. 5 Consent Agenda • Reynolds moved to approve and Stone seconded. Consent agenda approved unanimously. 6 Discussion Items • 6.1 Executive Director Report (Nelson) • Pillar Point Harbor Study- Reviewed the purpose, history, and components of the grant- funded project. There is chronic poor water quality in the harbor in terms of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). The RCD received grant funds to identify the sources of contamination and develop strategies for remediation. The study includes enumeration of FIB, microbial source tracking (MST), a circulation study of the harbor, and terrestrial hydrology. o Will be presenting Circulation Study at Harbor Commission on June 1st – Army Corps will be interested in results because of sand supply issue at Surfer’s Beach. o Glauthier was interested in public outreach and informing the Board about progress and what the preliminary findings show. o Final deliverable will be a plan for remediation – solutions will differ based on what data indicate are the source or sources. • Rural Roads Program- Roads have been identified as a priority in Steelhead and Coho recovery plans because of fine sediment damaging spawning habitat. Had our second annual workshop for land owners and land managers last weekend. The workshop was at Pie Ranch. Jim Kjelgaard spoke about road issues and treatments. Vincent Hurley, an attorney, spoke about erosion law and liability. The afternoon included a field site visit to Bear Gulch Road Association project site with DFG leading the walk. o Selection committee chose 6 projects to receive road assessment and designs, to be completed by NRCS (Jim Kjelgaard) and private contractors. o Pilarcitos contracts are moving forward, will have covered large portion of the watershed when we are done. o We applied for FRGP funds to start implementing treatments and are approaching a tenant on one of the properties to implement the designed improvements. • Water Quality Monitoring Successes- Two times recently we have had success with landowners who have had RCD doing monitoring. In the San Pedro Creek watershed, our monitoring found high counts of bacteria that turned out to be a leaking septic tank, which the landowner repaired. Another was in the Critical Coastal Area, where RCD staff recommended changes in drainage due to spikes in bacteria. The landowner made them and water quality improved right away. o Glauthier asked if we have revisited the site on Frenchman’s Creek where we did fish passage project. Nelson and Howard have revisited the site, and discussed that it looks stable, is withstanding storms, they have had conversations with fish biologists about whether or not it is quality fish passage for all life stages. Weeds are a problem. o There was a general discussion about the lack of funds to monitor projects other than verifying that the structures are in place, i.e. what the fish are actually doing. Bennett suggested that GGNRA might partner with the RCD for their interns to assist with assessments. • Upcoming events and contracts- o Applying for NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant for biochar field trials. o In negotiation with Caltrans for Cloverdale ponds restoration project. Agreement will come before the Board for review. o NRCS has done GIS mapping of ponds for our area. RCD and NRCS will do some analysis to inventory, assess, and prioritize pond projects. o Another agreement will be a County contract through Prop 84 for Fitzgerald Marine Reserve non-point pollution reduction that will subcontract to RCD through an MOU. o Nelson and Anderson will present about the RCD’s water quality program at the upcoming Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Committee meeting. o Nelson and Anderson will present at the San Mateo County Harbor Commission meeting on June 1st. o Nelson has asked CARCD to convene a conference call with RCD’s to develop strategies and guidance for how to proceed with the labor compliance issues that are developing in state funding contracts. o Anderson invited Board members to come out and assist with Pillar Point Harbor sampling.
• 6.2 NRCS Report (Howard) • RCD and NRCS used up the CCPI pot of money for irrigation efficiency with Tim Frahm’s help. • Lots of RCD projects are starting to roll with NRCS since with Nelson’s return from maternity leave. • NRCS is limited in what they can do outside of Farm Bill, but Nelson and Howard met with State Conservationist. Howard has continued to get feedback that our Local Partnership Office was one of the highlights of his California tour and he was impressed with NRCS- RCD partnership. • Howard feels confident and secure now allocating energy and resources to RCD projects and programs for technical assistance and conservation planning. • 6.3 FY 2012 Budget (Moldovan) • Staff is in the process of preparing the FY 2012 budget. • Question for Board – do you want to have a special meeting in June for approval before FY ‘012 begins or have it be late? • Directors chose a date for a special meeting: June 29th, at 4PM. • 6.4 San Mateo County RCD Five Year Plan (Nelson) • Nelson shared a draft of a five year plan (attached) that is based on Local Workgroup priorities. She asked directors for feedback and whether any of them wished to be involved in developing the plan outside of Board meetings. • The Board and staff discussed the value of one on one conversations with landowners and their thoughts as well as measurement metrics, e.g. reduced beach closure days.
• 6.5 Biochar Trials in Coastal San Mateo County (Anderson) • Anderson presented the attached PowerPoint and reviewed the developing project with Board members and guests, answered questions about sourcing Biochar, possible benefits other than soil amendments, etc.
• The group discussed what was and wasn’t in the scope of project.
7 Adjourn - • Glauthier motioned to adjourn, Reynolds seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:15.
650.726.0494 | FAX
625 Miramontes Street, Suite 103, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 www.sanmateorcd.org
2010-2015 Plan
The San Mateo County Resource Conservation District is a non-regulatory special district to help people protect, conserve, and restore natural resources through information, education, technical assistance programs, and the implementation of conservation projects.
Priority Geographic Areas The following geographic areas in coastal San Mateo County, ordered from north to south, are conservation priorities for the RCD but do not exclude development, implementation, or delivery of valuable programs, projects, or technical assistance in other geographic areas served by the RCD. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Critical Coastal Area Pilarcitos Creek Watershed San Gregorio Creek Watershed Pescadero-Butano Creeks Watershed Gazos Creek Watershed
Conservation Goal Objectives Water Quality Develop plans and implement practices to reduce point or non-point source pollution that is known Improve, protect, and enhance water quality to impair surface or subsurface water resources in coastal San Mateo County. (i.e., pesticides, nutrients, sediment, and pathogens). Monitor parameters that may impair chemical, physical, or biological aspects of water quality to identify nonpoint source (NPS) contaminants and establish baseline monitoring data. In partnership with NRCS and others, provide technical assistance for land owners and land managers to implement Best Management Practices.
Water Quantity Develop plans and implement practices to diversify alternative sources of water to facilitate Improve and protect water availability by the wise use of water supply for the management improving instream flow and groundwater of all beneficial uses. management. Develop plans and implement Practices that promote more efficient distribution, application, and management of water. In partnership with NRCS and others, provide technical assistance for land owners and land managers to implement Best Management Practices.
Barriers to Project Pursue permit streamlining opportunities. Implementation Facilitate cooperation and improve efficiencies in watershed stewardship among diverse Reduce barriers to implementation of high stakeholders. value conservation projects. Utilize IWRP to coordinate agencies that provide technical assistance, permits, and funds to facilitate project implementation and resolve technical or other issues that might otherwise be barriers to project implementation.
Ecosystem Management Develop and implement practices that: Improve, protect, and enhance ecosystem o protect or improve wildlife habitat and function and productivity and reduce risks of promote biodiversity and ecosystem function. natural hazards. o promote ecosystem function through removal and control of invasive exotic plant species.
o increase the productivity and health of grasslands and coastal scrub/chaparral communities.
o increase the productivity and health of forested lands, and reduce fuel loads and fire hazard.
o improve soil condition (e.g. increase soil organic matter, improve tilth, protect soil biology), or prevent, reduce, or repair soil damage and loss due to soil erosion. In partnership with NRCS and others, provide technical assistance for land owners and land managers to implement Best Management Practices.
District Capacity Build capacity to provide continuous long-term watershed stewardship, management, and Serve as a focal point for resource collaboration. conservation on private and public lands and provide an invaluable resource for residents Provide a more stable means of managing, and agencies throughout San Mateo County implementing and building support for strategies to move toward better stewardship of established in the various watershed management watersheds and coastal resources. plans.
Biochar Trials in Coastal San Mateo County, California: Assessing costs, methods, crop yield & water quality benefits in three agricultural applications
Presentation to San Mateo County Farm Bureau April 4, 2011 by Karissa Anderson What is Biochar? - Ancient soil amendment technology - Highly porous charcoal created through pyrolysis - From biomass (wood, crop byproducts, manure, etc.) Properties of Biochar
- High in carbon - When applied to soil: - Retains nutrients - Retains water - Decreases nitrous oxide flux to atmosphere Benefits of Biochar - Soil enrichment - Carbon sequestration - Decreases NOX flux (nitrous oxide) - Decreases need for agrochemicals - Improved runoff water quality My project
We will test how biochar affects crop yield, rangeland and water quality Components: 1) Identify sites and get baseline data 2) Pilot study: sample collection, observations and controlled experiments 3) Cost & methods analysis 4) Field trials (three agricultural settings) Cost and Methods Analysis
To be determined:
1) Sources of biochar (outside San Mateo County? Cook my own? What feedstock to use?) 2) Cost and method of transporting and storing biochar at implementation sites 3) Method of application at each site (tillage, mixtures, seasonality, bioswales) 4) Feasibility and funding: how much labor, how to fit into farmer/rancher/stable manager’s schedule, funding sources, project timeline. 5) Lots more! Field Trials
Three trials will be conducted: - Row crop applications - Rangeland applications (denuded pastures) - Bioswale/drainage applications for reduction of fecal pathogens
Each trial will be structured and monitored differently to determine effectiveness. Should all go to plan…
This project will establish the following: 1) Cost-effectiveness and feasibility of biochar applications in coastal San Mateo County. 2) Demonstration of effectiveness of biochar in row-crop applications in coastal soils and climate regime. 3) Demonstration of effectiveness of biochar in rangeland applications in coastal soils and climate regime. 4) Possible new applications of biochar as a bio- filter for fecal pathogens and nutrients. Why does this matter?
• All watersheds in coastal San Mateo County drain ultimately to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Some drain into state-designated Areas of Special Biological Significance, Critical Coastal Areas and Marine Protected Areas.
• Agrochemical and nutrient runoff has been tied to decline in species populations and diversity as well as harmful algal blooms.
• Sediment runoff from denuded pastures compromises in- stream habitat for threatened and endangered species (Steelhead, Coho).
• Fecal coliform bacteria at several San Mateo County beaches is chronically so high that the beaches remain permanently posted as unsafe for recreational use year-round. Several San Mateo County beaches have made Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer” list of most-polluted California beaches.
• Finding a cheap, easy technology (biochar) for this range of applications can empower farmers and livestock owners to improve land-management practices voluntarily without regulatory interference. Conclusion, Thanks
Thanks to current and future partners:
(I hope…)